BARTHOLOMEW – open Bible & flaying knives; It is believed Bartholomew (or Nathaniel) was a nobleman, coming from royal blood (relating back to Absolum’s mother, Maacah.) He was a scholar and researcher and became a missionary to Armenia and Indi… — BARTHOLOMEW – open Bible & flaying knives; It is believed Bartholomew (or Nathaniel) was a nobleman, coming from royal blood (relating back to Absolum’s mother, Maacah.) He was a scholar and researcher and became a missionary to Armenia and India. He converted the king, Polymius, to Christianity. The king's brother ordered the execution of Bartholomew. He died a martyr, in which he was flayed (skinned alive) with knives and then crucified.

PETER - upside down cross, keys & fish; A fisherman and brother of Andrew, Peter was originally named SIMEON or SIMON.Jesus changed it to PETER – THE ROCK upon whom the Christian church would be built. In MATTHEW 16:19, Peter was given the “keys… — PETER - upside down cross, keys & fish; A fisherman and brother of Andrew, Peter was originally named SIMEON or SIMON.
Jesus changed it to PETER – THE ROCK upon whom the Christian church would be built. In MATTHEW 16:19, Peter was given the “keys to heaven” by Jesus. When he was crucified in Rome, he requested he be crucified head downward for he was not worthy to die as his Lord had died. From Galilean fisherman to disciple, denier to proclaimer, missionary, bishop and martyr, Peter’s life with Jesus was astonishing.

JAMES – stone & fullers bat; The lesser, or younger, James was the brother of Jude. He worked in and near Jerusalem and was probably its first bishop. Tradition claims that he was pushed from a pinnacle of the temple at the age of 96. Near death… — JAMES – stone & fullers bat; The lesser, or younger, James was the brother of Jude. He worked in and near Jerusalem and was probably its first bishop. Tradition claims that he was pushed from a pinnacle of the temple at the age of 96. Near death, he rose to ask forgiveness for his enemies who then beat him with a fullers bat and sawed his body in pieces. Historical note: The trade of the fullers was to cleanse garments and whiten them. The process consisted of treading or stamping on the garments with the feet or with fullers bats in tubs of water containing some alkaline substance (serving as a soap).

JUDE – ship & spear; James (Theddeus of Labbeus) was the brother of James the younger. Jude went to preach the gospel in Edessa near the Euphrates River and authored the last epistle in the New Testament. Jude sailed to many ports and the ship s… — JUDE – ship & spear; James (Theddeus of Labbeus) was the brother of James the younger. Jude went to preach the gospel in Edessa near the Euphrates River and authored the last epistle in the New Testament. Jude sailed to many ports and the ship symbolized both his work as a fisherman and missionary. He was killed with arrows at Ararat.

Wood Carvings

Originally in 1964, the wooden disciple shield carvings were part of the pulpit and lectern. They were repurposed into a movable altar table in 2017. Each disciple is represented by symbols on a shield that signify key aspects of their life.

JAMES – scallop shells, staff & sword; James was the greater, or elder, son of Zebedee and brother to James. Jesus gave James & John the nickname of “sons of thunder” because they asked on one occasion if they could call down thunder and lig… — JAMES – scallop shells, staff & sword; James was the greater, or elder, son of Zebedee and brother to James. Jesus gave James & John the nickname of “sons of thunder” because they asked on one occasion if they could call down thunder and lightning from Heaven to strike down some of their enemies! He traveled by sea to Spain, where the coast was supposedly covered with millions of scallops. The shells and staff represent his missionary pilgrimages. He was the first of the 12 to become a martyr. The sword is how he was killed by King Herod.

ANDREW – X shaped cross; Andrew was the first to follow Jesus with his brother, Peter. He found the boy with the fish to feed the 5,000. He was martyred in Greece and crucified on a cross. Feeling unworthy to die on a cross shaped as his master, he … — ANDREW – X shaped cross; Andrew was the first to follow Jesus with his brother, Peter. He found the boy with the fish to feed the 5,000. He was martyred in Greece and crucified on a cross. Feeling unworthy to die on a cross shaped as his master, he begged to be hung on an X-shaped cross.

PHILLIP – upside-down cross & loaves of bread: Jesus said to Phillip, “FOLLOW ME”. Not much else is known. His shield indicates he was part of the feeding of the 5,000 – collecting loaves of bread. (JOHN 6:7) He died a martyrs death by hanging a… — PHILLIP – upside-down cross & loaves of bread: Jesus said to Phillip, “FOLLOW ME”. Not much else is known. His shield indicates he was part of the feeding of the 5,000 – collecting loaves of bread. (JOHN 6:7) He died a martyrs death by hanging and requested his body be wrapped in papyrus, not linen like Jesus.

SIMON – axe & fish; Simon was a Zealot. The Zealots were fanatical Jewish nationalists, crazed with hatred for the Romans. He abandoned that hatred when he followed Jesus and shared love with even Matthew, a Roman tax collector. His symbol of a … — SIMON – axe & fish; Simon was a Zealot. The Zealots were fanatical Jewish nationalists, crazed with hatred for the Romans. He abandoned that hatred when he followed Jesus and shared love with even Matthew, a Roman tax collector. His symbol of a fish lying on a Bible indicates this former fisherman became a fisher of men.

MATTHEW – Tau cross & moneybags; Matthew or LEVI was a publican (tax collector). As an educated man, he was the first to write down the teachings of Jesus. The money bags are reminders of his despised job before Jesus called him to discipleship.… — MATTHEW – Tau cross & moneybags; Matthew or LEVI was a publican (tax collector). As an educated man, he was the first to write down the teachings of Jesus. The money bags are reminders of his despised job before Jesus called him to discipleship. He died a martyr in Ethiopia.

THOMAS DIDYMUS – carpenter's square & lance; Thomas is a Hebrew name & Didymus is a Greek name meaning “twin”. He became known as the “Doubting Thomas” after he asked to see the nail prints in the risen Jesus’ hands. Thomas’ doubts were tran… — THOMAS DIDYMUS – carpenter's square & lance; Thomas is a Hebrew name & Didymus is a Greek name meaning “twin”. He became known as the “Doubting Thomas” after he asked to see the nail prints in the risen Jesus’ hands. Thomas’ doubts were transformed to a great faith he shared in Parthea, Persia and India. The ruler refers to the tradition that Thomas built a church by hand in India. Thomas was the only apostle to travel and preach the Gospel outside of the Roman Empire. The spear refers to his martyrdom. He was killed with a spear in Modrai, which is symbolized by a group of arrows, spear & rocks.

JOHN – eagle, chalice & snake; Son of Zebedee and Salome and brother of James, John is known as the “beloved disciple”. John was so intellectual that he “soared” above the others, hence an eagle is one of his symbols. He wrote the gospel book of… — JOHN – eagle, chalice & snake; Son of Zebedee and Salome and brother of James, John is known as the “beloved disciple”. John was so intellectual that he “soared” above the others, hence an eagle is one of his symbols. He wrote the gospel book of JOHN and the epistles I, II, & III JOHN. An attempt was made on his life by giving him a chalice of poison. A chalice with a snake in it is another symbol. He was also thrown in a vat of boiling oil, but again didn't die. John was then exiled to Patmos, where he wrote the book of REVELATION. He died of natural causes!

On the Pulpit - The Pulpit is where the preacher, inspired by the Holy Spirit, proclaims his or her studied interpretation of the written word of Holy Scripture, as the spoken word of God to the people.